"Stubbs: Joey Logano a Risky Underdog in Pursuit of Third Championship"

As the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs approached, Joey Logano was not considered a top contender for the championship.

Although he had previously proven himself by winning the title in 2018 against the likes of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr., the 2022 season was filled with uncertainty and parity.

With only 12 top-10 finishes in the first 26 races, Logano and his No. 22 team were often overlooked when discussing potential Final Four contenders.

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However, history has shown that Logano and his team can catch fire at the right time, as they did in their championship-winning run in 2022 with six top-10 finishes in the final 10 weeks of the season.

This year, Logano is facing his worst season since joining Team Penske in 2013, leading many to doubt his chances of making it past the first round of the playoffs.

Despite having only one fuel mileage win at Nashville to secure his spot in the playoffs and just 8 top-10 finishes in the first 26 races, Logano is determined to prove his doubters wrong.

While his statistics and lack of playoff points may suggest an early exit, Logano's previous championship runs have shown that he is most dangerous when underestimated.

During a July race in Chicago, Logano confidently discussed his team's potential for a championship run, even in the face of their struggles.

Team Penske is known for turning up the heat when the playoffs begin, and Logano is hoping to replicate his 2018 and 2022 championship runs with another title this year.

After a disappointing year in 2023 where he was eliminated in the Round of 16, Logano has a chance to bounce back and solidify his place in history as a three-time Cup Series champion.

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--Samuel Stubbs, Field Level Media